Starsand Island, a cozy life simulation game, launched on Xbox Game Pass today, , a day earlier than initially announced. The game is also available on PC, with access through Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscriptions. Players can purchase the Standard Edition for $39.99 or the Deluxe Edition for $59.99.
Developed by Seed Sparkle Lab, Starsand Island draws comparisons to popular titles like Stardew Valley and The Sims, offering a blend of farming, building, exploration, and social interaction. Players manage a farm, construct a countryside villa, explore various islands, build friendships, and engage in combat. The game boasts a slow-paced, relaxing experience focused on creating a personalized island life.
The release follows an announcement made in , and has garnered significant attention, accumulating over 600,000 wishlist additions prior to launch. This strong pre-release interest suggests a considerable demand for the cozy simulation genre, particularly within the Xbox Game Pass ecosystem.
Early reviews have been largely positive. DualShockers recommends the game, praising its addictive gameplay loop and charm, while acknowledging some current polish and optimization issues. Loot Level awarded Starsand Island an 8/10, highlighting its presentation and the immersive quality of the island environment. ScreenHype also gave the game an 8/10, noting its potential to appeal to fans of the life simulation genre. Reviewers emphasize the game’s breadth of activities, offering a comprehensive “everything” life sim experience.
The game’s launch is part of a strong start to for Xbox Game Pass, following the addition of titles like Indika, Final Fantasy II, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, and Madden NFL 26. January also saw a robust lineup, including Star Wars Outlaws, Resident Evil Village, MIO: Memories in Orbit, Ninja Gaiden Ragebound, and Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2.
Starsand Island’s arrival on Game Pass is notable as it transitions to an early access launch on both Steam and Game Pass. This approach allows developers to gather player feedback and refine the game based on real-world usage. The game features a unique aesthetic and a focus on creating a dreamlike island setting, described by some as reminiscent of Studio Ghibli films.
The game offers a variety of activities beyond traditional farming and building. Players can learn to fish, explore the islands, and engage in combat with an arsenal of weapons. The developers have also indicated plans for future updates and content additions during the early access period, aiming to expand upon existing systems and introduce new features.
The game’s release is available on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC. The developers have focused on creating a relaxing and immersive experience, appealing to players seeking a slower-paced, creative outlet. The combination of farming, building, exploration, and social elements positions Starsand Island as a potentially significant addition to the growing library of cozy games available on Xbox Game Pass.
